Posts made in June, 2014

Knee pain is one of the most common conditions that patients complain to their doctors these days. However, not all kinds of pain that is felt in this body require a doctor’s attention. So the question is, when do you see a doctor if you feel knee pain? Well, here are some helpful points that may guide you. When to See a Doctor If you have a history of knee injury that is recurring, then you should definitely see your doctor for that. If the pain you feel persists even after you have undergone a week’s worth of therapy and taken over-the-counter inflammatory pain medicines. If you have a newly acquired knee injury that is not disabling but the pain is unbearable. These points however, are just guides. It is still up to you when you should seek the assistance of a doctor. Some pain may be bearable but are already leading to serious cases of knee injury. If you want to be sure, then go ahead and call your good doctor. When to Go to the Hospital If you feel knee pain and you cannot put your weight on that knee, then you should consider going to the emergency room to be assessed right away. If you feel this way, then it is possible that you have a fracture. This situation should not be taken lightly as it can lead to a more serious case. Most types of fractures may need immobilization in a specific position or surgery. If you get feverish, then it is best that you see a doctor right away as it may mean infection on the injured area. Understandably, unbearable pain, puncture wounds and swelling are more than enough reasons for you to immediately go to the hospital. Get a Proper Diagnosis You may say that doctors are still a bit old-fashioned because they still rely on detailed history of physical exams. Even if they are surrounded with high-end products of technology, doctors still find a single test insufficient to know the exact nature of knee pain. So do not be alarmed or shocked if they ask you a series of questions during your appointment. The questions may include: Where in the knee is your pain? What does the pain feel like? How long have you felt the pain? Has it happened before? What makes it better or worse? Have you been limping? Does the knee pain wake you up all night? Have you had any major medical problems before? How active is your lifestyle? And many, many...

These days, more and more people are suffering from osteoporosis. This is the condition wherein your bones are weakened and you are prone to incurring fractures. Some fractures may lead to more serious injuries which are really dangerous to your well-being. It is actually one of the most common bone diseases. The Cause of Osteoporosis This bone disease is caused by different factors. It can either be genetic or environmental factors. It can also be both. To effectively prevent acquiring this disease, it is best that you understand first your chances of getting it. After all, you can’t ‘fight’ something that you are completely ignorant about. Symptoms and Types of Osteoporosis The difficult thing about this disease is that it is often undetected. Unless you develop a bone fracture, you will not be aware that you have it. However, there are times that symptoms may appear too. Some of these signs are extensive pain and height loss. You will feel severe back pain that may lead to spinal compression fracture. This often happens with older women. If you feel back pain, then do not hesitate to have it checked to prevent the situation from getting worse. Osteoporosis may occur either in adults or children. The type that happens with children is more commonly known as juvenile osteoporosis. However, this is very rare and only occurs when the child has a medical condition. This also happens during the child’s prime bone-building years. In any case, bone fractures caused by this condition are very painful. There are times that the pain and injury may last for months. Sometimes, it may even lead to disfigurement and immobility. Treatments for Osteoporosis There are many forms of treatment for this bone disease. There are prescription drugs that can be bought from pharmacies and there’s also living a healthy lifestyle. In fact, there are a number of superfoods that you can eat to help prevent osteoporosis. Joining a physical fitness class is a big step as well. Regular exercise and eating the right kinds of food is the most natural way to beat this disease. Superfoods for the Bones Milk is a high source of calcium and calcium, is the cornerstone of strong bones. Yogurt and cheese are great sources for calcium as well, especially if you are not a big fan of milk. Sardines are a good source too. If you didn’t know that, then now you do. Dairy products are not the only sources of the much needed calcium. Green vegetables. Need I say more? Fortified foods are good sources of calcium because they are enhanced by varying amounts of the said mineral. Calcium supplements Soy foods like tofu will make your bones stronger. Salmon and any other fish that is high in bone-boosting nutrients. Nuts and seeds can increase bone health in more ways than one. Cut down on the salt....

In the dictionaries, they say that vertigo is the slightly dizzy feeling that you get when you are positioned at great heights like on top of a building. You will feel vertigo when you look down from there. However, that definition does not encompass its medical meaning. The feeling of giddiness that we feel during the said situation is very well normal. Having vertigo has its causes and it needs certain treatments and tests too. The Medical Definition of Vertigo True enough, vertigo is a kind of dizziness which means that you get a feeling that you are moving or spinning even though you are not. But what’s important is that you do not confuse it with the word acrophobia. Vertigo is definitely not the fear of heights. Although they can be associated, vertigo can never be directly associated with acrophobia as the former has its medical causes. Vertigo is Caused By 1) Disturbance in the balance organs of the inner ear. This is also known as the peripheral vertigo. You see, the ear has tiny organs that allow ‘messages’ to reach the brain as a reaction to gravity. When this happens, you are able to maintain your balance because the brain has been informed of the movement from the vertical position. When this system is disturbed, there will be inflammation that can lead to vertigo. 2) Disturbance in the parts of the brain or sensory nerve pathways. This, on the other hand, is known as the central vertigo. This term has been collected to refer to the disturbance to the parts of the brain that is involved in the interaction between senses of vision and balance. It is that or there is a disturbance in the sensory messages to and from the thalamus part of the brain. When you have migraine headache, this can usually lead to vertigo as well. Determining If You Have It Unlike other medical conditions, there is only one symptom that will help you determine that you have vertigo. It’s as simple as having the feeling of giddiness that makes you feel like you or your environment is spinning. However, the number of symptoms that you may experience will vary on how you got the condition. You may experience nausea, hearing loss, tinnitus, vomiting or a feeling of fullness in the ear. There is also nystagmus, a classic eye movement sign of vertigo which is being tested by doctors....